Blog

PUTTING BUSINESS PARTNERSHIPS FIRST

PUTTING BUSINESS PARTNERSHIPS FIRST

Berto’s new Director of Business Partnerships, Valeriu Juverdeanu, has refined a valuable set of skills through a personal journey that reflects resilience, determination, and a deep commitment to excellence. Valeriu’s professional story began in Romania, where despite facing limited opportunities and significant obstacles, his drive to succeed led him to pursue a degree in Electronics and Telecommunications. After graduating, Valeriu gained invaluable experience in manufacturing, research, and telecommunications, which set the stage for his later achievements.

His career in Romania coincided with the introduction of fibre equipment, a formative experience that would prove instrumental for his move to Canada in 1996. Valeriu started out as a Switch Engineer at Telus Mobility in 2001, and then built a career spanning over two decades, specializing in fiber optics, network architecture, and project management. He advanced through multiple leadership roles, including Acting Manager of both Inside and Outside Plant Engineering, Senior Engineer, and ultimately, Manager of Planning & Engineering. In this capacity, he oversaw large-scale infrastructure projects, business relationship management, and the implementation of innovative telecom solutions.

Valeriu’s strong focus on family, respect, and perseverance has profoundly shaped his work ethic. These values naturally align with Berto’s commitment to teamwork, loyalty, and supporting one another, creating an environment where everyone feels valued.

Outside of work, Valeriu values time to unwind, whether it’s skiing in the winter, soaking up the sun on the beach, or tending to his garden (often at his wife’s suggestion). He also finds inspiration and knowledge in unexpected places, like watching TV, which he views as an opportunity to learn and explore new ideas. We sat down with him to learn more about his journey, insights, and what drives him to do what he does.

What excites you most about your expanded role at Berto as Director of Business Partnerships?

First and foremost, it’s the opportunity to help expand Berto’s business. The main focus is on telecom design, engineering, and construction.

This role also gives me the chance to rekindle old relationships. Now, I have a reason to reconnect, checking in on how they’re doing and exploring new opportunities together. Additionally, I get to forge new relationships and learn new aspects of the business, like how Berto handles civil work, the challenges involved, and the solutions we develop. It’s been a rewarding and eye-opening experience.

How do you see your role evolving over the next year within the company?

Diversifying our service offering is my primary focus. Expanding into electrical and telecommunications design, along with power and street lighting infrastructure builds are key areas of interest. My colleague Ricky has recently submitted RFPs for EV charging stations and street lighting projects in multiple municipalities. When you consider replacing old bulbs with LEDs or incorporating new technologies, it becomes interesting from both a technical and environmental perspective.

I’m actively seeking new projects for Berto and building new relationships within the industry. It can be challenging navigating an unpredictable market, but it’s also an opportunity to grow and learn.

Can you tell us a little about a recent project at Berto that you’re particularly proud of?

There are a few in progress, but I’ve been especially involved in the Pipeline Road Relocations Project, specifically the cable work. One of the contributions I’m proud of was resolving issues with materials, ensuring they went through the bidding process, selecting the right vendor, and aligning budgets and schedules.

Recently, there was a delay caused by a vendor accidentally covering a manhole with construction equipment. This prevented access and set the schedule back a couple of days. I worked with the team to address the issue, and now the manhole has been freed up. It’s small problems like these that I enjoy solving, as they contribute to the bigger picture.

What has been the most rewarding part of collaborating with different teams at Berto?

Getting to know the people. While I have a general understanding of what each team does, meeting individuals and learning about their specific roles has been a rewarding experience. For example, I recently learned more about Berto’s traffic control services and met the person in charge of that area. It’s fascinating to see how each piece fits into the larger picture of what we do.

As Director of Business Partnerships, what do you believe is key to building strong, long-term relationships with Berto’s partners?

It comes down to fairness and understanding each other’s needs. A true partnership is about fulfilling mutual goals in a way that makes financial sense for everyone involved. It’s not about forcing ideas or costs on a partner; it’s about figuring out what they need, what we can offer, and ensuring there’s alignment on price points and expectations. Both sides should feel satisfied with the partnership.

How do you balance maintaining strong relationships with partners while also ensuring the company’s growth and success?

It requires a balanced and flexible approach. One side’s perspective shouldn’t carry more weight than the others, it’s about ensuring mutual success. The business environment is constantly changing, so adaptability is crucial. By remaining flexible and responsive to change, we can enable growth for both Berto and our partners. That’s the foundation of a successful, long-term relationship.

In your opinion, what are the most exciting trends in design and engineering that could shape Berto’s future?

There are a few exciting developments. The Green Cities Initiative by the City of Vancouver requires extensive power upgrades that include things like EV charging stations and the new power substation in the downtown core. There’s also potential in street lighting projects; upgrading to LEDs or incorporating smart technologies.

Another area of interest is hydrogen fueling stations. There’s a company in Vancouver building these stations for cars and trucks, and while the scope is currently limited for safety reasons, it could become a significant area of growth in the future. Exploring emerging technologies like these will help position Berto for long-term success.

What role do you see innovation playing in the way Berto approaches projects, particularly in telecom and civil construction?

Innovation is the key differentiator in any industry. If we only stick to what we’re currently doing, we might succeed for a short while, but staying ahead of technological and procedural advancements is what will set us apart from the competition.

It’s not just about large, revolutionary breakthroughs. It’s also about small, incremental improvements. Every small innovation, whether it saves time, energy, or effort, adds up. Encouraging a culture of continuous improvement ensures that we stay adaptable and ahead of the curve.

What is one area within design and engineering that you’re particularly passionate about and excited to explore further in your role?

Planning. It’s the step before engineering and has a critical impact on everything that follows. If we have detailed information about an area in need of development and create a master plan, it ensures efficiency for everyone involved. For example, collaborating with large utility companies to coordinate efforts would be far more effective than working in silos. I’m passionate about the opportunities planning offers to improve processes and outcomes.

Looking ahead, what changes or growth do you envision for Berto as it continues to expand its service offerings?

I’ve mentioned electrical design before, but I also have a more ambitious idea: automating some of the repetitive activities we do. For example, using remote-controlled excavators, of course, with safety considerations in mind. Currently, such equipment exists mainly in mining but scaling them down for utility corridors in cities could be an exciting innovation.

By exploring new technologies like this, we’d not only make our processes safer and more efficient but also attract talent interested in working with cutting-edge advancements. There’s a lot of work to be done in this area, but it’s worth exploring.

What is something about you that people would be surprised to learn?

I actually prefer watching TV to going hiking. My wife isn’t a fan of this preference, so we’re constantly negotiating when to watch TV and when to head outdoors.

If there is one last thing you want people to know about you, what would it be?

I want people to know that I approach everything with an open mind. I don’t hold preconceived notions, I listen to all parties involved, consider their perspectives, and strive to make fair decisions. Staying objective helps everyone work better together.

Valeriu’s journey and insights offer a compelling look at the values that drive Berto’s success: innovation, adaptability, and collaboration. As we continue to expand our service offerings and navigate an evolving landscape, Valeriu’s vision and leadership will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact.

share:

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *